Marinette - The U.S. Navy plans to christen the U-S-S Milwaukee, with a ceremony in Marinette.

The vessel will be the 5th naval ship to bear the name of Wisconsin's largest city.

It will be christened this afternoon at the Marinette Marine Corporation shipyard.

The new ship is part of a series of speedy warships designed to conduct water combat immediately off an enemy's shore.
They can be used to hunt submarines and pirates, defend ground troops and support unmanned aerial vehicles such as Predator drones.

The Secretary of the Navy says the christening serves as a tribute to a great city and also the hardworking people of Wisconsin.

The U-S-S Milwaukee will be 388 feet long and is designed to be extra-speedy.